She never felt sorry for herself, and that was something I decided I admired most in people.

It was good work, the kind of work that let you sleep soundly at night and, when you awoke, look forward to the day.

New Yorkers, I figured, just pretended to be unfriendly.

I could see why Archimedes got all excited. There was nothing finer than the feeling that came rushing through you when it clicked and you suddenly understood something that had puzzled you. It made you think it just might be possible to get a handle on this old world after all.

Look at the way you live. You've sold out. Next thing I know you'll become a Republican." She shook her head. "Where are the values I raised you with?

Teaching is a calling too. And I've always thought that teachers in their way are holy - angels leading their flocks out of the darkness.

What I do know is that wondering why you survived don't help you survive.